When Governor Paul LePage boarded a plane for an unscheduled Jamaican vacation in early April, Maine moderates and progressives breathed a sigh of relief. A political virus that had infected the executive functions of state government — Tea Particus politicitus — had been isolated before it could spread into our lawmaking bodies. Maine's longstanding tradition of political moderation and generally cordial, practical lawmaking appeared to have won the day, marginalizing the tantrum-prone governor and a legislative agenda literally ghostwritten by corporate lobbyists (see "LePage's Secret Puppeteers," by Colin Woodard, February 11). "The LePage era," Portland Press Herald editorialist Greg Kesich proclaimed, "is over."

But last month, a new era dawned over our Republican-controlled capital, with characteristics that gave many Mainers pause. It arrived in the form of a health-insurance overhaul bill of staggering breadth and unknowable consequences, introduced by surprise, and blasted through the legislature's organs so fast that many of those voting on it had little idea what it contained. Drafted behind closed doors, the new law's contents evaded public hearing, bypassed the usual review by actuaries, analysts, and even the Appropriations Committee, signaling that the Republican legislative leadership has an uncompromising commitment to many controversial aspects of LePage's deregulatory agenda, if not to the governor himself.

The hopes of some that moderate Republicans might preside over a reasonably thoughtful legislative cycle — as evidenced by their spurning of LePage's more extreme environmental reforms, the billboard law, and the "show your papers" immigration bill — have been crushed by a sudden, full-on, ill-considered legislative coup. It was certainly not the first time legislators have rushed a bill through the State House before most of them could read it, but not in recent memory have they done so with an issue that, mishandled, could result in the bankruptcy, suffering, or death of so many of their constituents.

The new law turns upside-down the state's approach to reducing health-insurance costs, weakening consumer protections in favor of "market-based" reforms that will allegedly increase competition. What it will mean for the cost and quality of Mainers' health insurance is unclear at this early stage, although the track record in other states suggests we may see lower premiums for the young, healthy, and (uterus-free) males; and higher ones for the chronically ill, the elderly, pregnant women, and residents of rural areas, where specialized services are often more expensive. LePage promised in his radio address this week that the new law "will give our state the economic growth we need and provide affordable health insurance for everyone." Representative Sharon Treat — the Democrats' insurance point woman — says "it's a big gift to the insurance industry" that's going to result in "some people getting hurt, and possibly a lot of people."

Truth is, nobody knows what the effect will be because Republicans passed the bill before anybody had a chance to digest its extensive and frequently amended contents.

Indeed, the bill — LD 1333 — caught Democrats and would-be opponents entirely unawares. Normally, a bill surfaces, copies circulate among lawmakers, stakeholders, and the interested citizens, and a public hearing is held. Legislators in the relevant committee sit around a horseshoe and hear testimony from supporters, opponents, and positions in between to get a sense of how the proposed law might be improved or, indeed, if it is worthy of passage at all.

Down again Here's a great idea for commemorating the 20th anniversary of Maine's last state-government shutdown in 1991: Let's do it again.

Middle of the road LePage has accomplished something no Maine governor has ever been able to achieve: He's spread joy across the entire ideological spectrum.

Never mind the bollocks In the wake of its chaotic state convention, the Maine Republican Party has cleverly positioned itself to appeal to a whole new segment of the public: Anarchists.

Museum dreams This week, we're joining a guided tour of the Maine Museum of Political Paleontology. A docent is explaining to a group of schoolchildren what's happening in a scene depicting cave people trying to register to vote.

Maine's donkey party loves the rich and the poor — but can't protect both In the current legislative fight over Republican Governor Paul LePage's lust to slash Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) programs because of a $221-million shortfall in its budget, Democrats say over and over that they want to protect the poor, sick, and disabled people from whom the governor wants to withdraw state assistance.

Generation Green Republicans have a lot to say about the immorality of saddling the next generation with our national debt. But when it comes to leaving them a wrecked, depleted, and rapidly warming planet, they are taking the exact opposite line.

Elephant in the Room Platoons of state Republicans, energized by Scott Brown's stunning victory over Democrat Martha Coakley last week, are setting their sights on November.

Might as well jump Last Thursday, Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island — the last of his legendary clan in Congress — announced that he will not run for re-election.

The Big Ligotti Like his homeboy Scott Brown, Boston's elephant in the room is poised to make noise beyond Massachusetts

Going, gone Republican Governor Paul LePage should do himself, his party, and his state a favor by pulling a Sarah Palin and resigning.

Class (warfare) is in session In case you haven't heard yet, the US Census Bureau just announced its findings from the 2010 Census, and even a small state like ours saw a noticeable darkening of the population.

THE MAKING OF PAUL LEPAGE, PART 2 | January 18, 2012 Governor Paul LePage has made plenty of waves in his first year in office, and has many wondering where his sometimes provocative political attitudes come from. In this two part series we ask: who is Paul LePage?

THE MAKING OF PAUL LEPAGE, PART 1 | January 18, 2012 Governor Paul LePage generated more controversy and negative press in his first year in office than most Maine politicians do in their entire careers.